About Thornton, Colorado

Stability, Protection of Open Space, with the Promise of Economic Growth

Largely in Adams County, Thornton sits on the east side of I-25, north of 104th Avenue. With a population of 118,800, it is the 6th most populous city in Colorado. The city offers excellent Adams-12 five star district schools, a ten-mile proximity to Denver, and a world-class system of parks and trails in a stable, established community. Thornton is poised for economic growth: its northern tip lies in the southwestern end of Weld County, one of the fastest growing, energy-rich areas in the U.S. The future Grove Retail Development Center, coming soon near Washington and 144th, will serve the residents of Thornton and southwest Weld County. Every year the City of Thornton surveys its residents by telephone.

The December 2012 Survey offers these highlights:

Satisfaction with life in Thornton, measured across various aspects, continues to be strong. Among residents who expressed an opinion:

87% agreed that things are moving in the right direction for their city

80% said that the quality of life was excellent (17%) or good (63%)

Improved consumer confidence and positive expectations for further economic growth are evident:

82% said that the quality of life was improving (35%) or staying the same (47%).

Parks are a particularly strong point for city residents. Voters recently extended the 1997 tax to support acquisition and maintenance of new open space:

92% are very satisfied (68%) or somewhat satisfied (24%) with the city’s recreation and parks.

When asked if they were likely to still be living in Thornton in 5 years, 84% said “yes.”

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Qualities which make Thornton, CO a good choice to live include:

1. Cost of Living: With a cost of living of 104.6, Thornton is one of the more affordable North Denver areas to live in. The city is easier on the budget than the state as a whole, which has cost of living index of 107.1.

2. Educational System: With three school districts serve the city: Brighton-27J, Mapleton, and Adams-12 with its 5 Star Rating, the city has some truly excellent public schools. Notably, Thornton is home to the top rated middle school in all of Colorado – Stargate Charter Middle School, which is rated Number 1 out of 491 middle schools, with a grade of A+. Colorado School Grades ranks these K-12 Schools with a grade of B or better: Elementary: Prairie Hills, Prospect Ridge, Skyview, Tarver, Stargate Charter, Silver Creek, Westridge Middle Schools: Stargate Charter, Rocky Top, Century,Shadow Ridge, SilverHills. Learn More at Colorado School Grades. Served by the Rangeview Library District, Thornton has several libraries. The city is home to Everest College. Its 6 major highways provide easy access to the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines, and Front Range Community College.

3. Employment Opportunities: The new 63-acre retail development in Thornton’s North Washington corridor, “The Grove”, broke ground in October 2012. With Cabela’s hunting and fishing outfitter leading the way at the center, the city anticipates new jobs and economic vitality. The five largest non-retail private employers in Thornton are the following: Dish Network: Satellite TV & Equipment with 700 employees, North Suburban Medical Center: Full Service Hospital with 650 employees, Community Reach Center: Mental Healthcare with 350 employees, Villas at Sunny Acres: Healthcare & Assisted Living with 250 employees, Urban Farmer: Landscape, Irrigation & Reclamation with 232 employees. Get more information on Thornton Employment Opportunities. Thornton benefits from its central location, just 10 miles north of Denver along I-25, and directly south of Weld County, the fastest growing region in Colorado. Surveyed residents agree that Thornton’s economy compares favorably to other Denver communities: 82% see economic conditions as the same or better than the surrounding Metro areas. Current and future job growth is on par with state estimates and projections: 1.0% currently, and 35% over the next 10 years.

4. Real Estate Values: Thornton’s median home value of $176,300 is below the state average of $200,300, which helps to keep the cost of living in check. Among the city’s residents, 67% own their own home and vacancy rates remain low: 4.3%, which is less than half the state average.

5. Health and Safety: Within the city’s borders are two hospitals: the full service North Suburban Medical Center and the Vibra Hospital for long-term acute care. Surveyed residents indicate a high degree of satisfaction with city services: 85% are somewhat or very satisfied with police and fire protection services, 92% are somewhat or very satisfied with the safety of their neighborhood, day or night.

6. Commute Time and Public Transportation: With an average commute time of 33 minutes, six major highways intersect Thornton: I-25, I-76, SH 7, SH 44, SH 224, and E-470. The Denver Regional Transportation District, “RTD”, provides bus service from Thornton to the greater Denver Metropolitan Area. Denver International Airport can be reached in 30 minutes. With easy access to I-70, the recreational activities of the Rockies are just a short drive away.

7. Culture, Entertainment, and Shopping: Within its borders, Thornton provides 81 city parks and nearly 2,000 acres of open space with over 80 miles of trails. View more about the city’s open space program The conveniently located Thornton Community Center and the 78,780 square foot Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center provide a full range of services with a wave pool, fitness classes, and a gym. The public Heritage Todd Golf Course is in Thornton. Just over the border into North Glenn is the 18-hole, 72-par Thorncreek Golf Course. Convenienced with several shopping areas, the Larkridge Mall is anchored by Sears Grand store, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, PetsMart and more. Two other shopping centers are Thornton Town Center, and Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center. The Grove retail center in Thornton’s North Washington corridor will provide 63 acres of retail development when completed.

8. History and Development: Named in honor of former Colorado Governor Daniel Thornton, the City of Thornton became incorporated in 1956 on what had been mostly farmland. In 1953 Sam Hoffman purchased a large parcel of land for development on Washington Avenue, just on the north side of 88th . He named Hoffman Blvd after himself, Russell Blvd for his daughter-in-law, actress Jane Russell, and Eppinger Blvd for one of the major landholders in the area from whom Hoffman bought his lot. Thornton Elementary was once called the Eppinger School House. The city grew rapidly, and now encompasses 34 square miles and lies in two counties: Adams and the southwestern tip of Weld. Read more about the history of Thornton. Thornton is aptly named; Governor Daniel Thornton's two terms focused on developing the state's infrastructure. Significant municipal and economic growth in Colorado occurred during his Governorship. Likewise, Thornton’s stable municipality takes pride in its schools, roads, and city services while poising itself for economic advancement.

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